Today's COVID-19 Update for District 15 - March 19, 2020

Oregon State Legislature sent this bulletin at 03/19/2020 05:13 PM PDT

PERSONAL PROTECTION EQUIPMENT - NEEDED!

Friends, our medical professionals and communities are experiencing critical shortages with the necessary Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) they need, in order to continue to perform their jobs at an optimum level. And prevent becoming sick themselves.

Oregon has already used 28 percent of our supply of N95 Masks, 66% of our supply of surgical masks, and 83% of our supply of gowns.

Oregon has received 10% of our request for PPE from the Federal Government. Another 15% of that request should be on its way.

CHILDREN, SCHOOLS, AND HIGHER EDUCATION

Districts are to provide learning supports and supplemental services to students and families during the closure period, including meals and child care. This includes the delivery of food assistance and offering child care for essential health care professionals and first responders.

School districts may call on public school educators and employees to deliver limited learning and support services.

Each district will pay all their regular employees during the closure.

The Oregon Department of Education, Oregon Health Authority, and Department of Human Services are directed to support public schools in the continuity of mental health services.

Higher Education

The Governor has issued an Executive Order for higher education institutions in Oregon to suspend in-person instructional activity beginning March 21st--April 28th.

Proposed exceptions are for courses required for the completion of a healthcare-related certificate or program.

Institutions are encouraged to migrate to online or a remote learning modality.

Students will be encouraged to depart campuses and dorm rooms if other options are available in order to avoid crowding.

Universities will be allowed to operate dorms at a minimal level for students who do not have housing alternatives.

Every college in the public sector with dorms and dining facilities will continue some level of operation.

Guidance is being developed around steps needed to be taken to promote greater levels of social distancing in these settings.

The Higher Education Coordinating Commission will be assessing the potential impacts on enrollment as a result of the Coronavirus crisis.

Since higher education is primarily student-funded, enrollment declines could have serious consequences on institutional budgets.

PUBLIC HEALTH RESPONSE AND HEALTH INFO

A mobile hospital facility is being set up at the State Fairgrounds in Salem to act as a location for step down, hospital diversion or recovery care.

The Joint Task Force on Health Care System Response is working to manage demand and grow health care capacity.

Oregon Health Authority is looking into how many currently unlicensed hospital beds we can put into use.

OHA is also exploring the possibility of converting places such as hotels or dorm rooms into health care capacity.

The health care system may require a staffing lift and new resources to hire people to staff necessary jobs.

Task Forces are meeting today, tomorrow, and Friday and will come back with recommendations for building new health care capacity, particularly for ICU beds.

Projections are that we will need 1,000 additional beds to meet the surge.

Non-emergency medical procedures are being put off to save on personal protective equipment and to free up facilities and staff. This includes all Oregon hospitals, out-patient clinics, veterinarians, and dentists.

Underlying medical conditions that may increase the risk of serious COVID-19 for individuals of any age.

Blood disorders (e.g., sickle cell disease or on blood thinners)

Chronic kidney disease as defined by your doctor. Patient has been told to avoid or reduce the dose of mdications because kidney disease, or is under treatment for kidney disease, including receiving dialysis

Chronic liver disease as defined by your doctor. (e.g., cirrhosis, chronic hepatitis) Patient has been told to avoid or reduce the dose of medications because liver disease or is under treatment for liver disease.

Compromised immune system (immunosuppression) (e.g., seeing a doctor for cancer and treatment such as chemotherapy or radiation, received an organ or bone marrow transplant, taking high doses of corticosteroids or other immunosuppressant medications, HIV or AIDS)

PLEASE refrain from socializing with anyone you know who lives with one or more of these listed or other medically sensitive conditions - IF you are showing ANY signs of illness. You may weather this virus, to them, this virus is life-threatening. This is true with any virus.

OREGON'S ECONOMIC IMPACT

Regional Recovery Teams will be deployed through the state’s Regional Solutions structure.

According to the Governor’s Office, it is still too early to determine the full economic damages Oregon will face during this crisis.

The Governor’s Office believes general fund tax receipts will drop significantly and this it is important that we be careful regarding state finances until we know more of the economic impacts

A coordinated group including financial experts from both the legislative and executive branches will be established to focus on the statewide financial impacts faced by Oregon as a result of the Coronavirus crisis.

May 20th is when the next revenue forecast is planned.

The Oregon Department of Revenue has posted guidance for taxpayers for seeking exemptions and relief.

ALL BUSINESS INDUSTRIES IMPACTED:

Oregon should be approved for the Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program by early next week.

If you are a small business owner impacted by COVID-19 check out the Small Business Administration’s page for federal guidance and resources available to you.

“After listening to 4.5 hours of testimony in committee yesterday and reviewing hundreds of pieces of testimony and emails, I am asking for an expedited response to the economic crisis created as we deal with the COVID-19 response the Governor has implemented. We cannot afford to wait – we have Oregonians in desperate need due to state actions."

SUPPORT OF ANOTHER KIND

Social distancing is a double-edged sword these days. When we are working to self-quarantine, or involuntarily become exposed and have to be quarantined - we need to take a quick inventory of ourselves and those around us.

Check in with your family, friends, and neighbors as often as you can. Not just for them, but for yourselves. This is a new reality for everyone. We are in this together.

INFO WORTH REPEATING

Friends, below are links to the latest information from our communities. Thank you for all of the great work being done by our people and these communities. Here are links to city, county, and agency pages specifically dealing with coronavirus updates.

UTILITY ASSISTANCE

Portland General Electric, Pacific Power, Northwest Natural Gas, and the Portland Water Bureau will all temporarily stop service disconnections for non-payment of bills. Comcast is offering free internet access for some families for the next 60 days.

UPDATE FROM LINN COUNTY SHERIFF, JIM YON:

Linn County Sheriff Jim Yon wants to assure the citizens of Linn County we are closely monitoring the events and closures of public facilities around the state as it relates to COVID-19.

Although we are taking precautions here at the Sheriff’s Office, our staff is dedicated to serving the public safety needs of the community.

Please remember we all need to do our part to keep this virus from spreading. Wash hands (for at least 20 seconds) frequently and often, avoid contact with those that are sick and stay home if you are sick.

Many public offices and buildings are closed. Please call ahead of time and consider handling your business over the phone whenever possible.

We canceled our mobile vet today at our Animal Control Office. At this time Animal Control is still open, but we ask the public to not come in unless necessary. This is to protect both the public and our staff.

This is an evolving event and more closures could be coming. Please be patient and understanding with the situation. We here at the Sheriff’s Office will send out updates as we get them.

FOOD BANK INFO:

Please consider making contributions to these groups, as they will be needing extra assistance to serve our communities.

EMPLOYMENT INFO:

COVID-19 FACTS

Reminder: The Oregon Health Authority – OHA: www.healthoregon.org/coronavirus211Info is an excellent source of information about resources and benefits, and they are also ready to answer your questions about coronavirus. They are open seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. by phone (call 211), text (text your ZIP code to 898211) or email (help@211info.org).

While “social distancing” is recommended at this time, social cohesion is also necessary. There are many vulnerable and isolated members of our communities that were already struggling before the coronavirus pandemic.

Together, we will get through this public health emergency, Oregonians. Be kind to one another and reach out if you or a loved one need assistance.